While I usually agree with you on these kinds of topics Mackenzie, today I just can't. I've never understood your "February Blues" and I feel that it's people with perceptions such as yours that perpetuate the presumed problems of the holiday that you are upset about.
My feeling is that if everyone calmed down about it, then Valentine's Day wouldn't be the horrible thing that people outside a relationship make of it or the ultimate thing as some people inside a relationship see it. The truth of the matter is that just like everything else in life, Valentine's Day is what you make of it. If you want to make a big stink and declare it Singles Awareness Day, then it is you who is accentuating that and making it negative. If you want to make a big stink and declare it the most romantic day, that's your perrogative. It's out there for you to do so.
I will acknowledge that I do have a boyfriend and that we tried to celebrate Valentine's Day (we were foiled by his job sending him out of state for a three day long conference). But I will also say that I felt this way all the many years when I didn't have a boyfriend. Unlike the hot librarian (linked below in Mackenzie's entry), this was the very first Valentine's Day I've had with some kind of significant other. I've always liked Valentine's Day because I saw it as a day to simply let the people I love know that I love them (such as my friends...one of which is you, Mackenzie).
I looked forward to the Valentine's Day parties in elementary school when everyone gave out the really cheesey perforated Valentines. Maybe it was because I was the kid no one really liked and I could count on it to be the one day a year that the kids around me would say something nice about me. Maybe it was because I'm a sentimental fool. Maybe I just really liked the idea of a day when you can hug everyone around you like crazy all day. Who knows?
Strangely enough, I have no blues this month. I've actually been in a pretty darn good mood.
Maybe it's because of the good time I'm having being single?
My objections are all political rather than personal, at this point.
Besides, if there's anyone I know that doesn't need an excuse to hug everyone like crazy, any day of the year, it's you. That's part of why I like you. ;)
Go guest Blogger! I agree - especially with the part about making it a holiday to let everyone know you care and that it is NOT just about the crass commercialization of significant other relationships. WTG!
Maybe it's all my reading, but I keep expecting to see someone say, "For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent."
I need to put down the books from time to time.
Thank you, Travis. I thought I was going crazy feeling like that. I'm glad to be validated! :)